Important notice regarding use of cookies: By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our Digital Privacy and Cookies Policy. Brokerage products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors.
Two pressures are measured for a blood pressure reading 1  : Systolic blood pressure is a measure of blood pressure while the heart is beating. 2  Diastolic pressure is a measure of blood pressure while the heart is relaxed.
Systole is the contraction of the left and right ventricles, resulting in blood flow to the body and lungs, respectively. Diastole includes the contraction of the atria and the filling of the ventricles. The cardiac cycle breaks systole and diastole down into five phases during one heartbeat. It describes changes in pressure, volume, and flow through the heart in each phase. Systole is comprised of isovolumetric ventricular contraction and ventricular ejection. Diastole is comprised of isovolumetric ventricular relaxation, early diastole (rapid inflow & diastasis), and late diastole (atrial systole).